May 1; Feast of the Ascension. As we celebrate this Holydayof Obligation, let us consider the following from Abandonment to Divine Providence: The whole essence of the spiritual life consists in recognizing the designs of God for us at the present moment. All reading that is chosen by us apart from God's designs is harmful to us; the designs and will of God are the grace which works in the depths of our hearts through the books we read as through everything else we do. Apart from God, books are merely useless externals, and being devoid for us of the life-giving power of God's plan, they succeed only in emptying the heart by the very satisfaction which they give to the mind.
Our Way to the Father: Consider, moreover, how practically Mary would have you realize the fact that you will begin in earnest to love your own self, somewhat as your heavenly father and your divine Brother and she herself loves you, only when and in as far as you will open the eyes of your mind to see, and will permit the candor of your heart to confess to Heaven and to yourself how much in and about your chafing trials and crosses, the diseased product of your unwarranted, brooding self-pity, too frequent growing out of no better root than your whimsical exaggerations and arbitrary distortions of facts, and serving no saner purpose than an abnormal satisfaction in making yourself more and more miserable.
May 2:
Today we begin the Novena to the Holy Ghost before Pentecost.
Also today is the Feast of the Great Saint Athanasius, who fought against the Arian heresy. He wrote a letter to the Faithful of his own diocese, lamenting that The Enemy had the church buildings. They may have the churches, but we have the faith. He goes on the conclude: Even if Catholics faithful to Tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the ones who are the Church of Jesus Christ. And these traditions include a dedication to the Papacy, which was founded by Jesus Christ upon Peter and his successurs, who will last until the end of time! May Saint Athanasius intercede for us who are also suffering persecution from heretics, the Modernists, Liberals and even the Traditionalists, who in practice reject the Divine and Catholic Faith!
May 4: Our Way to the Father: Consider, moreover, how practically Mary would have you realize the fact that you will begin in earnest to love your own self, somewhat as your heavenly father and your divine Brother and she herself loves you, only when and in as far as you will open the eyes of your mind to see, and will permit the candor of your heart to confess to Heaven and to yourself how much in and about your chafing trials and crosses, the diseased product of your unwarranted, brooding self-pity, too frequent growing out of no better root than your whimsical exaggerations and arbitrary distortions of facts, and serving no saner purpose than an abnormal satisfaction in making yourself more and more miserable.
May 5, Saint Pius V: Goffine gives some advice for preparing for Pentecost. His first point is: We should withdraw, after the example of the Blessed Virgin and the apostles, to some solitary place, or at least avoid, intercourse with others as much as possible, speak but little, and apply ourselves to earnest and persevering prayer: for in solitude God speaks to man. The Catholic Encyclopedia has an interesting entry on the necessity of silence to the Spiritual Life.
May 8, We live in the information age, and yet how many people actually have the gift of knowledge? And fewer still have true wisdom. 24 hours a day, seen days a week, we can access information from various sources, television, radio and the internet, and yet how much do we really KNOW.
An example from the Nightly News the other evening is a case in point. Apparently researches have discovered why people are becoming obese in the United States. In fact, these researchers have apparently developed a plan tin order to overcome the problem. However, the report gave absolutely no instructions on how apply the results of this research to our own lives. The report did not even refer one to their website for more information on how to apply the results to life. In other words, the report was virtually worthless. It did have one possible benefit for the person who is obese and wishes to do something about his problem. He can go to the internet and find the answers himself, if they exist there. He now knows that there is a possible solution other than the standard one tried for decades without success in many case. What is now required from him is the will to find the answer and then apply it.
But the report mentioned, like many reports on television, radio and the internet, was virtually worthless. And yet, how many devote an hour a day to sitting in front of the television in order to be informed? Is this possible a colossal waste of time? Wars are not won in deep armchairs placed before TV sets, says The Seminary Rule. However, wars are being lost in armchairs before TV sets; wars for the salvation of souls! Is it possible time to haul the television sets to the curb for pick up by the garbage men? It is time to take a look at television and how it is being misused today.
Let he who reads, understand, Jesus instructs us in these days. (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) Note well that Jesus did not tell us to watch television, and yet He knew that television would exist, when the abomination of desolation would be set up in the holy place! Several private prophecies indicate the existence of television, and it is possible that Apocalypse 11 refers to television, although other interpretations are indeed possible. No, Jesus commanded us to read and understand. Therefore Jesus did not wish us to read just anything, but those things that would make us saints! Spiritual authors consider spiritual reading necessary, and they all wrote in far better times than we live in today. And so let us consider that spiritual reading is necessary, watching television is not necessary.
More tomorrow.
May 9: The Seminary Rule discusses how a seminarian should make time for spiritual exercises. The first thing this book addresses is the temptation to cut short spiritual exercises. It devotes a notable amount of space to this temptation and then concludes that we should never cut short our spiritual exercises. No, this must be most important. Let us consider with a piece of advice: If ever there should arise the situation in which there absolutely and genuinely is not, as a rule, sufficient time for both parish activities and one’s spiritual exercises, the former must be cut down and not the latter. A priest is actually doing much more for the souls committed to his care as he kneels or sits in meditation than when he is at his desk or in the conference room. Now all Christians must devote themselves to spiritual exercises and must have a regular routine of spiritual practices, such as morning and evening prayer, prayer before and after meals, spiritual reading, meditation, daily Rosary, etc. And in these days we should be seeking to increase them, not reduce them.
May 13: We were recently asked where 'The Seminary Rule' can be found. We are posting a list of various resources. This particular book is not currently in print. We may consider scanning it in or you can look for it used.
May 14: Ember Wednesday: In Holy Hour this morning We picked up another book, which we had been looking for for some time. As with other books We have picked up, the main theme that keeps coming through is the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF PRAYER, especially meditation. Therefore We propose to begin considering prayer. We know that We certainly cannot hope to compare with the great saints of the past two millenia. All We can do is add a few thoughts, while strongly recommending that all Christians undertake a program of daily spiritual reading from these authors. This latter book tells many stories, which reminds Us that Jesus also taught in parables. So We may simply tell stories, that illustrate some of the main points. We recommend all join the mailing list in order to receive these stories and inspirations as an addition to your regular life of prayer.
Comments on an interesting new liturgy. Yesterday a post was made to the internet, which has caused over 150 people so far to visit the Vatican In Exile. We are linking the post here and would like to comment briefly. This does not imply endorwement of this website1 The liturgy in the first Youtube frame is quite fascinating and in line with the New Pagan Rite of the Novus Ordo. The final blessing is I bless you in the name of the Creator, the Redeeemer and the Sanctifier. The liturgical dance is reminiscent of the ealry 1970's and the many liturigical experiments, which were authorized as part of the developing the Novus Ordo.
Also there is a picture of one of the Antipope Gregorys. For those who are not familiar there are three and a half. The one pictuted, Clemente from Palmar de Troya, Spain is the first to acutally claim to be Gregory XVII. The second is a seer in St. Jovite, Canada, who believes in women priests among other aberrations. The third is a self-proclaimed Gregory XIX, because ofthe other two Gregorys. The half is the claim that Joseph Siri was elected on October 26, 1958. However, Siri himself never claimed to be Pope and the theory rests on evidence that would not be acceptable in a canonical court, and therefore must be dismissed as another attempt to deceive the elect.
May 15: Recommended reading.
We were questioned about how many books We have read ont eh subject of Ascetical Theology, that is the science of the Saints. And so We compiled a list and are past forty such works, which relate to the necessary science of the saints.With this in lind, We have a recommendation where people should start. We recommend all start by reading AND STUDYING The Art of Prayer, which We have posted to the Internet.
May 17: If you look at the quote at the top of the page you will find something I marked in a book years ago. When we do our spiritual reading, we should make notes of hte important points, so we can find them later. And then on occasion it is good to go back and review one's noes. In fact, sometimes, it is good to reread parts of old books in order to remind ourselves of the important poitns contained in them. Daily spiritual reading in these days is essential to salvation!
May 21:
Dear friends,
Tomorrow is the Feast of Corpus Christi. I would like all who can to make a Holy Hour on this feast for the Restoration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If this is not possible, then sometime during the octave, such as on the Lord's Day coming up. In fact two Holy Hours or even more might be appropriate.
May God bless and guide all of us to total conformity to His most holy will.
Pope Michael
p.s. Internet connection problems have returned, so I may be slow to answer emails.
May 22: Corpus Christi
Saint Alphonsus tells us: According to St. Chrysostom, the holy communion inflames us with the fire of divine love, and makes us objects of terror to the Devil. We know also from Saint Alphonsus that the Devil hates the Mass and therefore Holy Communion. Let us prepare ourselves for Holy Communion, visiting the Blessed Sacrament spiritually and making Spiritual Communions, until we can once again receive Jesus sacramentally! Saint John Vianney, the holy Cure of Ars reminds us that all the life of a Christian ought to be a preparation for Holy Communion, and Saint Augustine tells us we should be prepared to receive every day!
The Devil hates the Mass and has indeed succeeded in causing it to cease for a time. One would then conclude that Jesus is no longer physically present on earth in the Blessed Sacrament. Such a conclusion is wrong. There are some who interpret His statement: I will be with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world to mean that He would remain in the Blessed Sacrament.(Matthew 28:20) However, if Mass is not said regularly, the species are not renewed and thus would be consumed in Holy Communion. The rubrics of the Church are quite clear on this matter. However, there is an exception. Read the book Eucharistic Miracles, which details Hosts, which were consecrated centuries ago and are miraculously preserved. In fact, we had a discussion with a doctor from Kansas City who actually was able to see one such miracle. In that case the Host turned into human flesh. He stated that as a heart specialist he recognized the tissue as being heart tissue. Jesus has miraculously preserved Himself in the Blessed Sacrament in some rare cases. In Proverbs (8:31) we read of the Lord: my delights were to be with the children of men. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is called the Prisoner of love, waiting patiently for our visits. Let us visit Him often spiritually to make reparation for those who are so cold-hearted as to ignore Jesus, Who is so ready and willing to receive even the most hardened sinner to repentance.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us!
O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
Let us pray that on the next Feast of Corpus Christi, we receive our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion!
May 26:
How to Teach the Catechism, page 120: Lying is abominated by God and by man. God hates the sin because it is a misuse of the noble faculty of speech, which He gave only to man and denied to every other creation. God’s sole purpose in giving man speech was that man might truthfully convey his thoughts to man, and to lie means to disturb the order which God meant to exist between men. The sin is abominated by man because it impedes the possibility of fair and just dealing and makes human association unreliable. Lying is a fault of character and very often leads to other faults, like stealing. We despise a man who destroys another’s character; we despise a liar more for destroying his own. To lie once means that you must lie again to protect yourself, and this is the reason why even one lie can soon produce a liar. It is the opinion of the Fathers of the church that one-third of the sins in the world are sins of the tongue. Ordinarily speaking, a lie is a venial sin, but when it causes grave damage to another, it becomes a mortal sin.
To avoid this vice, check garrulousness, think before you open your mouth, avoid gossiping associates, speak well of others.
Avoid gossiping associates. In these days of easy communication, the internet, cell-phones, radio and television, it is easy to spread gossip. The other day I was questioned about the gossip spread about me on the internet. How much of television news is devoted to the sin of detraction?
Saint Bernard says: Whether to detract is a greater sin than to listen to detraction, I will not decide. The devil sits on the tongue of the detractor as he does on the ear of the listener. And yet, how many of us sit idly by while people’s character is assassinated, either in conversation, on the phone, the internet or television? If the sins of detraction (telling the truth about another when one ought not) and calumny (lying about another) have increased so, has sin in general increased as well?
May 29: Some Catholics are visiting to help with some work around this place. I have prepared daily sermons and will publish them here as well.
Saint Alphonsus: Endeavor to hear all the sermons in your power. Consequently, this places a duty on me to prepare and give more frequent sermons. However, even after you move to this area and assist at daily Mass, I don’t think I can give enough. This is why Jesus advises all of us to read and understand. This is a habit we must begin and begin our day with. Before Rosary each morning I plan on giving all of us a small point to think on.
The Birth of Christ – Let us pray for detachment from earthly things. Never are we allowed to forget the modern world. All our senses are bombarded with man made things – cars, houses, television, etc. We convince ourselves that we can’t exist without the newest gadget and go into debt to get it. Is this detachment? St. Teresa used to say that a single drop of heavenly consolation gives more content than all the pleasures and amusements of the world can give. (Saint Alphonsus, Preparation for Death, page 219.
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Lukewarm souls will be rendered fervent. Is one of the promises from the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. What is there in this devotion that will make us fervent in the love of God? We say that the heart is the center of love. Of a person who does not love, we call them hard-hearted. And let us see how Jesus loved us! Greater than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) And yet Jesus went one further, He laid his life for me, who has so often been His enemy through sin! This is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Now how can I be devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus? This is why we must do spiritual reading daily. Read the instruction from Goffine. Read other things on the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and how we should return the love He has already given us! Let us be truly devoted to Jesus!
May 31: Let us pray for an ardent desire for our true home heaven. How many of us think about what heaven is truly like. Saint Paul said he couldn’t describe heaven. Saint Alphonsus says: In heaven, the saints enjoy continual peace, because there they find in God the source of every good. God is the source of every good. Let us realize that here and begin to find true peace!
Saint Alphonsus continues: In heaven, to praise God is the constant occupation of the Saints. And Saint Augustine says: You praise God by the discharge of every duty; you praise Him when you eat or drink; you praise Him when you rest or sleep. We praise God by doing the job Hs has assigned us here on earth.
We are also posting books at Catholic Research. More details later.
LAST UPDATED 5/31/2008
For whom the Lord loveth, He chastiseth: (Proverbs 3:12)
Let us accept the Will of God, even if it is a hard saying.
Speaking of Saint Teresa, Rev. Jeagher in The Virtue of Trust says: Truly, spiritual dryness in no way diminished her loving trust in Jesus. On the contrary, for this she had an especial love in that it gave her the opportunity of pleasing Jesus without experiencing pleasure herself.
Even from simple Christians, from the ordinary faithful, Christ expects detachment (from the world). To be happy, He tells them, they must have the spirit of poverty, they must be clean of heart, they must weep for their sins and suffer persecution for justice' sake. (Matthew 5:1-10) How then can we presume to preach detachment and self-sacrifice to others unless we practise it ourselves? The world has perhaps never hungered and thirsted as it does in our days after wealth, amusements, pleasures, comfort, enjoyment. Can it well dispense with the antidote and stimulus of our good example? (Cardinal Mercier in his Retreat to Priests)
